Why VR?

The perfect storm of consumer buy-in, enthusiast input, small armies of pro and non-pro developer armies, industry support and the advancement of the underlying technologies that enable the devices to be usable, smooth, functional, provide a smooth combination of graphics, experiences, avatar response, haptic feedback and more must coalesce to make virtual reality a reality. Much of it is happening in 2016.

Virtual reality is the “killer app” considered “next big thing” by companies like Apple, rumored to be in development of VR and AR device and the new Google company Alphabet Inc. which just released an Android VR headset. NASA recently released its virtual reality app Mars 2030, and walk or drive a rover over the surface of the planet. And, the well-known $2bn purchase of VR innovator Palmer Lucky’s Oculus VR company by Facebook in 2014. Stay tuned for growing content throughout xREZ VR as we settle into our virtual home with information about the history and future of VR, and where its modern renaissance is leading us.

090325-N-2959L-143 HOUSTON (March 24, 2009) Astronauts Tom Marshburn, left, and Dave Wolf train for a spacewalk in the Integrated EVA/RMS Virtual Reality Simulator Facility at Johnson Space Center. Marshburn and Wolf are members of STS-127 and will take a space flight with Lt. Cmdr. Chris Cassidy in an upcoming mission to the International Space Station in June. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique M. Lasco/Released)